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Schwalbe is Tubeless ready

Schwalbe's MTB Evolution tires are now Tubeless ready: They can be converted into a tubeless tire by the addition of a latex based puncture sealant liquid ("latex milk"), or used quite normally by inserting an inner tube.

"Tubeless ready" has all the advantages of tubeless riding, but avoids the disadvantages of high weight in the UST tubeless system. A precondition is an airtight Tubeless wheel. "More and more Marathon and XC competition riders use Tubeless ready systems", explains Schwalbe technician, Markus Hachmeyer. Excluded from Tubeless ready are the Freeride and Downhill tires, as well as Smart Sam.

In order to make the tires "Tubeless ready", Schwalbe reduced the inside diameter slightly, thus the tire sits more firmly on the rim. The bead received a strengthened rubberizing and has more contact area with the rim making it already sealed without the use of a sealing fluid. Latex liquid is nevertheless necessary, because air can still escape from the lightly rubberized carcass.

Prepared with a sealing fluid, for instance Doc Blue, the tires can be ridden completely tubeless – with all advantages of the system, in particular puncture protection. Punctures caused by embedded stones or thorns lose their dread, because latex fluid is evenly distributed around the tire's inside through the rotation of the wheel when riding and thereby reliably seals any small holes. Nevertheless if too large a hole develops while riding, a tube can be inserted.

There are performance gains likewise: Tires prepared with sealing liquid can be ridden at low pressure, under two Bar. The tires are thus very supple, adapt perfectly to the terrain and offer optimal grip in any situation, with the danger of a puncture remaining low as a result. Also, since no tube is required, the rolling resistance is around 15 per cent lower. And without a tube there can be naturally no valve tear-off caused by tire creep. An additional benefit is its lightness: TL-ready tires are about five grams heavier than their predecessors and in addition 50 milliliters of liquid per tire is required. However they still weigh approximately 200 gram less than a Tubeless-tire. Therefore there is an overall weight saving of 300 grams in the rotary mass, which clearly improves the bike's agility.

For whom then is the still classic Tubeless system suitable? "For all riders, who want an all-round carefree package and for whom the higher weight is no concern. Because handling the sealing liquid naturally has its downside", describes the tire technician. In riding performance converting to Tubeless only brings advantages. However conversion, and/or fitting is not for everyone, even though the TL-ready tire is clearly lighter. Here the specialist dealer has an opportunity to not only sell, but also to install the system too.

Fitting without a tube:
Coat both tire beads with an assembly liquid (Schwalbe Easy Fit) ( 1 ) and fit as usual. But: Before fitting the second bead, fill with fluid ( 2 ), best position is opposite the valve. Continue assembly, finishing at the valve! First inflate rapidly to approx. 40 psi pressure ( 3 ) (Track pump or compressor). After inflation: Rotate and shake the wheel in all directions to ensure the sealing liquid is well distributed everywhere inside the tire ( 4 ). It is normal to begin with air and sealing fluid will escape down the sidewall. Inflate again and repeat shaking the wheel until the wheel seals permanently. ( 3 + 4 ) For a puncture out on the road: Fit a spare tube remembering to clean out the sealing fluid and removing the tubeless valve.